Landscaping Rules in Lower Paxton, PA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Lower Paxton, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, branches of shade trees must stay trimmed to a minimum height of 12 feet over a street and eight feet over a sidewalk. Owners of private trees with overhanging branches carry the same duty, and topping a tree is prohibited. Trimming a right-of-way tree needs written Shade Tree Commission approval.
Lower Paxton Township Tree Trimming and Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 162-9
All branches of shade trees shall be kept trimmed in a manner to maintain a minimum height of 12 feet where they overhang a street and eight feet where they overhang a sidewalk. All shade trees standing on private property and having branches overhanging sidewalks or streets shall also be kept pruned by the owner so the lowest branches are in compliance with this section.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, no one can plant, cut, trim or remove a shade tree in the public right-of-way without written approval from the Shade Tree Commission. Removing a healthy tree is barred unless the Commission finds one of four listed criteria, and a violation carries a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $600 plus costs.
Lower Paxton Township Shade Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code §§ 162-5, 162-7
No person shall plant, cut, trim or remove any shade tree or parts thereof under the jurisdiction of the Township or fasten any sign, wire, rope or other material to, around or through any shade tree without written approval from the Shade Tree Commission. No electrical installations shall be attached to any shade tree nor shall excavating of trenches or tunnels be dug within 20 feet of any sha...
Weed Ordinances
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, PA, every premises and its exterior property must stay free of weeds or plant growth taller than 10 inches, and noxious weeds are banned outright. The Board of Supervisors set the number in Chapter 148 by amending the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code.
Lower Paxton Township Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 148-2
Section 302.4, Weeds, shall read as follows: "All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. "For purposes of Section 3...
Rainwater Harvesting
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, the Sanitation and Health Code names rain barrels and cisterns in one place: § 110-14 bars anyone from maintaining one in a condition where breeding mosquitoes become a menace to public health. The rule governs the condition of stored water, not the size or permitting of a collection system.
Lower Paxton Township Rain Barrel and Cistern Rules
Light RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 110-14
No persons shall maintain or permit to be maintained any pond, privy vault, cesspool, well, cistern, rain barrel or other receptacle containing water in such a condition that mosquitoes breeding therein may become a menace to the public health.
Composting
In Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania, Chapter 165 protects composting as a use of yard waste. Section 165-12.H lets residents keep yard waste past the next collection for the purpose of composting, provided the storage follows other Township ordinances. Compost bags at the curb follow the same placement windows as carts, and normal farm composting is carved out.
Composting and Yard Waste Storage in Lower Paxton Township
Light RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 165-12
These time limitations also apply to the keeping/storing of compost bags. ... H. Yard waste. Yard waste meeting the definition may be stored for longer periods of time, if necessary, until the next scheduled collection for such items or for the purpose of composting or burning such materials in accordance with Township ordinances, unless such storage violates other ordinances or regulations of ...